Grounding contact for footwear



Feb, 17, 1942, J. DELAMERE GROUNDING CONTACT FOR FOOTWEAR Filed May 5,1941 11V VEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 17, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE GROUNDING CONTACT FORFOOTWEAR John Delamere, Denver, Colo.

Application May 3, 1941, Serial No. 391,815

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a device adapted to be installed in boots andshoes whereby an electrical contact can be established between the bodyof the wearer and the ground so as to provide a means for dissipation ofelectrical currents generated by the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which is simple an inexpensive in construction and can bereadily applied to a shoe either at the time of manufacture orsubsequently thereto.

A further object is to provide a grounding contact which will not causediscomfort to the user nor be objectionably conspicuous.

A still further object is to provid a grounding contact the wearingelement or brush of which can be renewed easily when necessary.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details ofconstruction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully describedand pointed out in the claim, it being understood that changes may bemade in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has beenshown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partlyin section of the heel portion of a shoe showing the present inventiontherein.

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference, I designates aguide sleeve extending from and opening into a cup-like body 2 which, asshown, is provided with attaching ears 3. This body 2 is normally closedby a screw plug 4 or the like which can be provided with a kerf 5 bywhich it can be easily screwed into or out of position in the body. Avent opening 6 is also formed in the plug.

Mounted to slide in the sleeve l is a contact pin or brush 1 having ahead 8 at one end thereof slidable within the body 2 and cooperatingwith the bottom 9 of the body for limiting the movement of the pin orbrush in one direction. A coiled spring l0 or other suitable cushioningmeans is seated in the body 2 and bears at one end against the head orenlargement 8 and at its other end against the screw plug 4. Thus oneend of the pin or-brush l is held normally projected beyond the end ofthe sleeve I,

In using the device an opening II is extended through the heel l2 of ashoe l3 or the like, the upper end of this opening being counterbored asat H so that sleeve l and body 2 can thus be fitted snugly in the heel.The in-sole or other portion of the shoe can be recessed at l5 toreceive the ears 3 so that they will not form any objectionableprojection within the shoe likely to cause discomfort.

The parts are so proportioned that when the device is seated in the heeland fastened in place by means of nails I6 or the like extending throughthe ears 3, the lower end of the pin or brush 1 will project slightlybelow the bottom surface of the heel as shown particularly in Figure 3.Thus while in use, this projecting end will form a contact withtheground so that electricity generated by the body of the user while inmotion, will thus be dissipated. The pin or brush 1 can be made ofcopperor other material sufliciently soft to wear uniformly and shouldthe pin become too worn to work efilciently, anew one can be substitutedreadily simply by removing the screw plug 4, lifting the spring Ill andpin or brush I and substituting a new brush or pin after which the otherparts can be returned to their. proper positions.

What is claimed is:

The combination with the ground-engaging portion of a shoe provided witha counterbored opening therethrough, of a grounding contact including aguide sleeve seated in the opening, a hollow enlargement at one end ofthe sleeve seated in the counterbore, thereby to support the sleeve inthe shoe, means for attachingsaid' enlargement to the shoe, a screw plugconstituting a closure for the enlargement and accessible from withinthe shoe, a contact pin slidabie in the sleeve, a head at one endthereof slidable in the enlargement, and a cushioning spring within theenlargement and bearing against the head and plug for holding one end ofthe pin normally projected beyond the ground-engaging surface of theshoe.

JOHN DELAMERE.

